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Millipedes in New England

General Information

Resembling a worm with legs at first glance, millipedes are elongated invertebrates that typically feed on detritus (rotting organic material). Though the name implies that the animal possesses 1,000 legs, most millipedes typically have fewer than 50 pairs.

Found in cool, damp, and dark environments across all New England states, millipedes are a segmented diplopod that may become a nuisance around the house.

Generally beneficial, as the animals feed on decaying organic matter, millipedes may take up residence in:

  • Garages
  • Sheds
  • Basements

Appearance & Identification

What Do Millipedes Look Like?
baby millipede image
With a long, cylindrical, segmented body, millipedes may reach up to 1-1/4 inches long and up to 3/16 of an inch thick. Millipedes have two pairs of legs attached to each body segment.

Though generally black in color, other individuals of the species may show a range of colors along the edges of the body segments, including yellow, pink, and even purple.

Millipedes possess spiracles (holes or openings) on each body segment, which the diplopods use to breathe. Certain species of millipedes may secrete a yellowish liquid as a defense mechanism that is generally harmless to humans, though it may leave red marks on the skin. Males typically have longer legs and antennae than females.

Centipedes vs Millipedes

Millipedes have two sets of legs per segment positioned directly under their body. Centipedes have one set of legs per segment positioned on the side of their body. Centipedes mostly eat insects after killing them with their venom. Millipedes feast on decomposing plants. If you had to choose, you’d rather have millipedes in your house!

Habits/Habitat

The North American millipede, or Narceus americanus, as well as several sub-species, may be found throughout the United States, especially in the eastern part of the country.

Millipedes may be found in both urban and suburban areas living anywhere the soil is damp and the humidity remains high such as:

  • Under rocks
  • Dead trees
  • Leaf piles

Typically solitary and nocturnal, the millipede is capable of forward, backward, and sideways movement, as the pairs of legs move simultaneously down the body.

Millipedes are also expert burrowers. If threatened, the diplopod may curl into a tight spiral, using the hard exoskeleton to protect itself from potential predators.

Diet

What Do Millipedes Eat?
As detritivores, or animals that prefer to eat detritus and other decomposing debris, millipedes are known to feed on decaying leaves, wood, and roots. In addition, the diplopod will eat bacteria and developing fungi.

Millipedes also feed on their own waste in order to further glean nutrients not gathered the first time. On occasion, the diplopod may feed on living plant roots or developing vegetation.

Life Cycle & Reproduction

Both male and female millipedes produce pheromones to locate suitable mates. Males also stridulate, or create sounds by rubbing their legs together, to attract females.

Starting in the late spring or early summer, millipedes mate and usually lay 100 eggs or more. Adult millipedes overwinter in soil or under leaf litter and become active in the spring, at which time the mating process begins.

Females also tend to burrow into the soil to dig a nest where the eggs will be deposited. The number of eggs varies by species, with environmental conditions and health of the female affecting the egg production rates of millipedes.

Eggs hatch after a few weeks, and the emerging larvae appear like small adult millipedes except with only three pairs of legs.

Young millipedes hatch after two to ten weeks of gestation and must complete seven stages of growth. When molting, the diplopod adds segments and legs to the body, and the maturation process may take up to one year.

Millipedes molt 7 to 10 times before reaching sexual maturity, which ceases development. The millipede reaches sexual maturation at one year.

After reaching adulthood, millipedes may live up to five years, while the average lifespan ranging around two years.

Problems Caused by Millipedes

Are millipedes dangerous? No. Are millipedes poisonous? No. Do millipedes bite? No. Do you want millipedes in your house or business? Also no! Millipedes are commonly classified as a nuisance pest. When the habitat of the animal floods or becomes inhospitable for any reason, millipedes may migrate and find ways into homes and other structures.

Garages and basements often make perfect domiciles for the diplopod, as both offer dark and potentially damp surfaces and hiding places. In some cases, when threatened, the millipede will discharge a substance that may irritate or discolor human skin.

Certain subspecies may also act as carriers of mites, which may be vectors of certain diseases.

Signs of Infestation

The most obvious sign of infestation remains physically seeing millipedes in the home or workplace. As millipedes are primarily nocturnal, the possibility of seeing the animals may not occur all at once. Millipedes may hide in boxes, under shelving, in mulch beds around the home, and even under sinks, where moisture may accumulate.

Though practically harmless in terms of injuring humans or pets, and not destructive to structures, millipedes become pests in late fall in New England once the weather starts to cool.

The diplopod feeds on decaying organic matter, which in turn may lead to the invertebrate moving into homes. Seeking warmth/moisture and dark hiding places, the millipede may show up inside, typically in basements, sheds, or garages.

The move into human structures follows basic migratory routes seeking new food sources and warm, damp locations. The most common sign of infestation remains visibly seeing millipedes. So the best answer to how to get rid of millipedes is to know what’s attracting them and eliminate it.

Keeping areas directly adjacent to the structure clear of organic matter, such as leaves, mulch, or any other debris that may attract the diplopod, typically reduces the amount found inside the home.

Prevention

The best way to prevent a millipede infestation remains closing off/sealing points of entry. Cracks in foundations, openings around pipes and cables, and window sills and doorways may provide access to the home or business.

The best way to keep millipedes out of the home is exclusion:

  • Utilize caulk around windows and doorframes.
  • Pack areas around cable, wires, and piping with mesh wiring.
  • Always repair cracks in foundations when found.

In cases of extreme infestation, home and business owners may wish to contact a trained pest control professional to properly eliminate the millipede problem.

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